According to agency reports, the German Minister for Consumer Protection, Horst Seehofer (CSU) has voiced support for national administrative schemes with regard to the cultivation of genetically modified plants in Europe in the future.

The approval procedure, for which authorities of the European Union nonetheless should remain responsible, should become “more scientific and transparent”. Furthermore, the minister expressed the opinion that the “smallest residues” of unapproved GM lines should be tolerated in the future if found to be present in imports of animal feed. Mr Seehofer suggested that such measures may prevent shortages of animal feed and the associated rise of prices in the EU.